The Reverend Denise Pariseau Mantell

1946-2013 The Reverend Denise Pariseau Mantell died July 23, 2013 at the age of 67. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Kim and Neil Carlson, grandchildren Alex and Matthew Carlson, former husband Bob Mantell, brothers and sister Lawrence and Daniel Pariseau and Andree Monroe, and their children. She was predeceased by her beloved son Dorian. She will be sorely missed by her friends, family, and dog, Premium. Denise was born in Flushing, NY, to Andree and Lawrence Pariseau. She attended The Mary Louis Academy, then Queens College, where she was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1978. She earned a Masters of Divinity from General Theological Seminary, in New York City, in 1982. After working at several churches in New York and New Jersey, she was ordained to the priesthood in the Episcopal Church in 1985 and made Associate Rector of St. Paul's Church in Morris Plains, NJ. In 1988 she became Rector of The Church of Our Merciful Savior, in Penns Grove, NJ. In 1999 she became Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Matawan, NJ, before retiring to live with her family in Delaware in 2009. Denise was always an advocate for the neglected and forgotten, a vibrant priest, and an active community member. She gave of her time and talents by serving as chaplain to the Fire Department of Carney's Point, NJ, and held the community service chair of the local Rotary Club for five years. She was active in the Diocese of Newark, the Diocese of New Jersey, and the Diocese of New York; serving on committees such as the Peace Commission, Science and Theology Commission, Diaconate Formation Committee, and Commission on Priesthood and the Diaconate. Denise was among the first to volunteer at Ground Zero after 9/11; providing pastoral care and support at St. Paul's Chapel on West Broadway, and the Mobile Morgue. Like many of those she served with, she developed lung cancer from exposure to dust at the site. Denise was recognized for her hard work and service to others by being named Matawan New Jersey's Citizen of the Year in 2003, Paul Harris Fellow of the Matawan Rotary Club in 2002, and a Temple Beth Shalom Woman of Valor in 2002. She was named to the Matawan Regional High School Hall of Fame in 2003. A gathering in Denise's memory will be held at the MCCRERY AND HARRA Funeral Home, 3924 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE on Friday, July 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. A funeral service will be held at The Church of Our Merciful Savior, 110 East Maple Avenue, Penns Grove, NJ on Saturday, July 27 at noon. In lieu of flowers, donations in Denise's memory may be made to the Delaware Humane Association, 701 A Street, Wilmington, DE 19801. Online condolences please visit: www.mccreryandharra.com